Berkeley's Soda Tax Isn't So Sweet

A one-cent-an-ounce tax will be imposed in Berkeley, CA starting on January 1, 2015 for soft drinks, including soda, energy drinks, and sweetened ice teas. Thus, the tab for a 64-ounce bottle of Coke or Pepsi will cost an extra 64 cents, before any other price increases by retailers. It’s estimated that costs will rise as much as ten percent.

Proponents of the Berkeley tax say the fee will help curb consumption of sodas, energy drinks, and sweetened iced teas, beverages they say are contributing to the nation's obesity epidemic. It’s believed that the soda tax passed in Berkeley is the first of its kind in the nation.